Single buffer layers of LaMnO3 or La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 for the development of YBa2Cu3O7-δ-coated conductors:: A comparative study

Single, epitaxial buffer layers of insulating LaMnO3 (LMO) or conductive La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) have been grown by sputter deposition on biaxially textured Ni and Ni-alloy substrates. We report baseline investigations of their compatibility with the YBa2Cu3O7-delta (YBCO) coatings and demonstrate biaxially textured YBCO films grown by pulsed-laser deposition on these single-buffered tapes. Superconducting property characterizations revealed better properties for YBCO films on LMO-buffered tapes relative to those grown on LSMO layers. Self-field critical current densities (J(c)) exceeding 1 x 10(6) A/cm(2) at 77 K have been obtained for the YBCO (200 nm) films on LMO-buffer layers. These results offer prospects for the use of single, LMO-buffered metal tapes in the development of practical YBCO-coated conductors.